Prone-forward-operated board-type sailboat

ABSTRACT

A prone-operated board-type sailboat that incorporates a dual-use device to counterbalance the force of the wind. This device comprises a handlebar extending bilaterally from the vessel, mountable to the deck forward of the sailor and adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the deck for grasping and leaning out to windward from a forward-prone position. It dually performs as an outrigger for flotation devices adjustably affixed to each lateral protrusions of the device to stabilize the vessel to leeward.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to prone-forward operatedboard-type sailboats. More particularly, the present invention relatesto prone-forward operated board-type sailboats, steered by means of afoot-rudder. Furthermore, the present invention relates to prone-forwardoperated board-type sailboats, steered by means of a foot-rudder,specifically to mechanisms to resist heeling and the potential forcapsizing as caused by the force of the wind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For optimal sailing performance as well as stability, high-performancesailboats have a means for leaning out or extending the body laterallyto the windward side of the boat (side from which the wind is coming) tocounterbalance the force of the wind. Such a maneuver is termed “hikingout”. Common supports for hiking out include webbed harnesses, laterallyextending benches as well as laterally flaired decks or gunwhales,sometimes known as “wings”. These supports and extenders allow sailorsto extend the body to windward from a standing or sitting position.

With the development of the prone-operated board-type sailboat, U.S.Pat. No. 3,902,441 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,973, standing or sittingmeans to hike out are precluded, since the craft is operated from aprone-forward position.

Since the prone-operated board-type sailboat is sensitive to the forceof the wind and easily capsized, counterbalancing the wind forcerequires a different strategy.

One of these strategies is to hike out by means of a forward-positionedhandlebar extending to the right and to the left of the vessel. Such amethod is depicted in the prior art as shown in FIG. 1 as well as in thevideo available at www.windrafting.com.

Another strategy involves the use of flotation, particularly anoutrigger-boom and pontoon or foil arrangement commonly seen ontrimarans and other sailing vessels. Such a strategy has been partiallyaddressed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,973.

Referring to the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,441 established theprone-operated sailboard with foot rudder but did not disclose a meansfor hiking out. A forward-positioned handlebar was developedsubsequently and is depicted in FIG. 1 as well as in the website videoat www.windrafting.com. However, the handlebar shown atwww.windrafting.com does not encompass a flotation device orstabilizing-foil function.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,973 differs from the present invention in thefollowing manner: while it discloses the use of a stabilizer foil meansconnected to an outrigger apparatus, it does not disclose that theoutrigger apparatus can be used as a hike-out means; because it is doesnot have both a right projected arm and a left projected arm it is notcapable of being used for hiking out to both port and starboard.Furthermore, it can not be positioned for hiking out because it is notadjustable for height and reach of the sailor with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the vessel. The outrigger boom of U.S. Pat. No.3,793,973 is connected to the hull through a single receptacle. Ittherefore is not adjustable to a position forward of the shoulders whereit can be grabbed and used for leverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,973 discloses an outrigger boom with “adjustability”for the purpose of insertion of said boom into a stationary receptacle.It does not disclose a significantly extendable boom or teach toextendability for the purpose of stability against the force of thewind.

Angle of attack is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,942 forstanding-type sailboards, with regard to plunging of the bow of thevessel in high wind. In this case, not only is angle of attack relevantto plunging but as a means of increasing or decreasing resistance toside-slippage as caused by the wind. An asymmetrically shaped hydrofoilprovides varying hydraulic characteristics when submerged, and thereforevariable resistances to side-slipping, bow-plunging and point of sail(how close the boat can sail into the wind).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,212 depicts a prone-operated sailing raft supportedby bilateral pontoons but having no deck, no hull, no rudder, and nomeans for hiking out. This design is rudimentary for sailing purposesand precludes performance-level function.

Other patents and prior art refer to pontoon and foil flotation deviceson sailboats but not specifically to prone-forward-operated board-typesailboats.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to integrate two means tocounterbalance the force of the wind upon a prone-operated board-typesailboat.

It is an object of this invention to facilitate the hiking out of thesailor of a prone-operated board-type sailboat by supporting thesailor's weight when leaning out from the prone position.

It is further an object of this invention whereby a rigid lateral membersituated forward of the sailor's shoulders and extending laterally tothe right and laterally to the left of the vessel's sides provides ameans of leverage against the force of the wind when reaching towindward, gripping and pulling against said member with an extendedhand.

It is also an object of this invention that said lateral memberfunctions as a boom for bilateral flotation devices that extend downinto the water to leeward (side from which the wind is leaving) when theprone-operated board-type sailboat is heeling.

Furthermore, it is an object of this invention that said flotationdevices provide an additional means of stabilizing the craft tocounterbalance the force of the wind.

Additionally it is an object of this invention to provide sailors amargin of safety for operating the craft that was heretofore notavailable.

It is also an object of this invention to improve operationalperformance, permitting sailing in higher winds and at higher speedsthan was heretofore the case.

With respect to the hike-out function of this invention, it is an objectof this invention that the lateral member situated forward of thesailor's shoulders is adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axisof the vessel to the length of the sailor's body, so that the sailor canreach it as a handlebar with his or her arms.

It is a further object of this invention that said lateral member isattachable to the deck of the board-type sailboat in multiple positionsalong its longitudinal axis with respect to the length of the sailor'sreach.

With respect to the flotation function of the invention, it is an objectof this invention that flotation devices with hydrodynamiccharacteristics reduce side-slipping caused by the force of the wind.

Furthermore, it is an object of this invention that flotation deviceswith hydrodynamic characteristics reduce the need for a centerboard orleeboards, which serve to prevent side-slip caused by the force of thewind.

It also is an object of this invention that said flotation devices areadjustably mountable to the lateral member so as to provideextendibility from the lateral member, and additional stability in highwinds.

It is further an object of this invention that said hydrodynamicallydesigned flotation devices are optionally outfitted with hydrofoildevices to lift the hull out of the water at high speed.

It is further an object of this invention that said flotation devices,which may be outfitted with hydrofoil devices are mountable to thelateral member so as to provide an adjustable angle of attack to thewater, thus giving the sailor additional control over side-slippage dueto the force of the wind, bow-plunging due to higher wind force, as wellas speed and directionality of tack while heading into or away from thewind.

It is further an object of this invention that said flotation devicesare retractable from the water and clearable of the water surface byfixable means such as rotation around or extension beyond the hike-outhandlebar, thus eliminating resistance caused by the flotation deviceswhen sailing before the wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a prone-forward operated board-typesailboat comprising: a hull; a deck on the top surface of the hull; afoot rudder steering mechanism at the aft end of the hull; a hike-outhandlebar connected to the deck having at least a left projected arm anda right projected arm; a mounting means for said handlebar; and a leftflotation device connected to the left projected arm and a rightflotation device connected to the right projected arm.

In an embodiment of the present invention the hike-out handlebar isadjustably mounted to the deck along its longitudinal axis toaccommodate heights and reaches of different users. The left flotationdevice and/or the right flotation device may be comprised of one or moresubmersible components. The right flotation device may be adjustablyconnected to the right-projected arm of the hike-out handlebar withrespect to extendibility from that arm. The left flotation device may beadjustably connected to the left-projected arm of the hike-out handlebarwith respect to extendibility from that arm.

The right flotation device may be adjustably connected to theright-projected arm of the hike-out handlebar with respect to angle ofattack of that foil to the water. The left flotation device may beadjustably connected to the left-projected arm of the hike-out handlebarwith respect to angle of attack of that foil to the water.

The right flotation device may be adjustably connected to theright-projected arm of the hike-out handlebar with respect toretractability from the water. The left flotation device may beadjustably connected to the left-projected arm of the hike-out handlebarwith respect to retractability from the water.

The foot-rudder steering mechanism may be comprised of a foot cross-barwhich is adjustably mounted to accommodate different heights of users.The foot-rudder steering mechanism may also be comprised of a rudderwhich is mountable to a hinge or other articulated receptacle device bypin or other quick-removal means.

These and other features of this invention are described in, or areapparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described indetail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a prior art prone-operated board typesailboat;

FIG. 2 is a top-down view of the deck of a prone-operated board-typesailboat of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side-view of the aforementioned embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a head-on view of the aforementioned embodiment showing aflotation device that is adjustably connected to the left-projected armof the lateral member with respect to extendability from as well asrotatability around that arm; and

FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of the aforementioned embodimentshowing an asymmetrically designed hydrofoil flotation device that isadjustably connected to one arm of the lateral member with respect toangle of attack to the water.

FIG. 6 is a head-on view of the aforementioned embodiment showing aflotation device that is adjustably connected to the left-projected armof the lateral member with respect to vertical and lateral positioning.

FIG. 7 is a view from the perspective of the sailor showing uphaul anddownhaul cables extending from finger pull-loops on the deck, through atubular lateral member to attachments on the inner and outer surfaces ofthe flotation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to prone-forward operatedboard-type sailboats. More particularly, the present invention relatesto prone-forward operated board-type sailboats, steered by means of afoot-rudder. Furthermore, the present invention relates to prone-forwardoperated board-type sailboats, steered by means of a foot-rudder,specifically to mechanisms to resist heeling and the potential forcapsizing as caused by the force of the wind.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 2 is a top-down view of the deck ofa prone-operated board-type sailboat of the present invention showing alateral member extending from the right and left sides of the vessel,multiple mounting devices arranged in pairs along the longitudinal axisof the deck, as well as flotation devices attached to or near right andleft ends of the lateral member. FIG. 3 is a side view of thisembodiment of the present invention. The sailing craft of the inventionshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is indicated generally at 2 as a board-typesailing vessel for prone-forward-operated sailing. A foot-rudder 4 isattached at the posterior of the vessel. It is steered by an adjustablecross-bar 6 by applying pressure to right or left using the pads of thesoles of the feet. The mast and rigging of the vessel are indicated at8, forward of the sailor's head. The dual purpose hike-out handlebar andoutrigger boom is indicated at 10. It projects laterally to the rightand to the left from the vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the hike-outhandlebar and outrigger boom is angled upward with a posterior cant inorder first, to ride above the surface of the water on either tack andreduce resistance to the waves, and second, to provide easy reach andvariable leverage for the sailor. A mounting means for saidhandlebar-boom is indicated at 12. The mounting means is affixable tothe deck by attaching devices, 14, indicated at multiple locations withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.

Flotation devices 16 are affixed to the right and left, at or near theends of the handlebar-boom, parallel to the longitudinal axis of thevessel. These devices may be canted at an angle to vertical and variablyoutfitted with hydrofoils to maximize resistance to sideslip caused bythe force of the wind and give lift to the boat at high speed.

A novel feature of the present invention is the integration of ahike-out handlebar with outrigger-flotation devices. The handlebaremployed as a means for hiking out is the same bar used as the outriggerboom for the flotation device. The utility of such a marriage is toprovide a level of stability to the prone-forward operated sailingvessel that neither method could achieve on its own. The hike-outfunction serves to stabilize the craft by way of leverage from thewindward side (side from which the wind is coming). The flotation deviceserves to stabilize the craft from the leeward side (side from which thewind is leaving). The utility of this arrangement can be illustrated inthe common situation where a gust of wind catches the sailor unawares.The submerging flotation device maintains relative stability from theleeward side as the sailor adjusts, grabs and applies leverage to thehike-out handlebar from the windward side. This arrangement providesstability in higher winds than would otherwise be the case, giving thevessel a higher performance profile and a margin of safety for sailorsat all levels.

The integrated flotation device provides an additional synergy. As avertical foil it reduces the need for a centerboard or leeboards,because when submerged to leeward it reduces side-slip caused by theforce of the wind.

The present invention discloses a hike-out handlebar that is adjustablymountable to the deck along its longitudinal axis so as to positionforward of the sailor's shoulders.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, these flotation devices areadjustably attachable to the handlebar-boom device so as to beextendable even further from the sides of the vessel than the ends ofthe handlebar-boom itself. Adjustable attachment may be achieved by ahole-and-pin arrangement, as in 20, clamping device, or other means.

The current invention also claims an extendable outrigger boom with theability to rotate around its vertical axis so as to vary the angle ofattack of the foil to the water. In a preferred embodiment, shown inFIG. 5, a flotation device outfitted with a hydrofoil is rotatablyadjustable with respect to angle of attack to the water. Position isfixed in this example by a hole-and-pin arrangement illustrated in 20.

An additional embodiment of the invention discloses a flotation deviceadjustably attachable to the handlebar-boom device so as to be laterallyretractable from the water, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the aforementioned embodiment, position of lateral and verticalretractability are fixable by several means shown in FIG. 6 and 7,including a spring-hinge attaching the flotation and handlebar devicesto snap by hand the flotation device in downward and lateral positions.In an alternative embodiment, position can be fixed by downhaul anduphaul cables, shown as 22 and 24 respectively, extending bilaterallyfrom an entrance hole in the tubular hike-out device to attachments onthe inner and outer aspects of the flotation devices. Vertical andlateral positions can be fixed by such means as the aforementionedspring hinge or by pulling taut and cleating or hooking the downhaul oruphaul cable to an attachment on the hike-out apparatus, mounting meansor deck.

Specific embodiments set forth in this description of the invention areby way of illustration and the invention is not necessarily limitedthereto. Modifications and variations of the embodiments will beapparent from the disclosure and may be resorted to without departurefrom the spirit of the invention. Accordingly such variations andmodifications are considered to be within the purview and scope of theinvention and the following claims.

1. A prone-forward operated board-type sailboat comprising: a hull; adeck on the top surface of the hull; a foot rudder steering mechanism atthe aft end of the hull; a hike-out handlebar connected to the deckhaving at least a left projected arm and a right projected arm; amounting means for said handlebar; and a left flotation device connectedto the left projected arm and a right flotation device connected to theright projected arm.
 2. The prone-forward operated board-type sailboatof claim 1, wherein said hike-out handlebar is adjustably mounted to thedeck along its longitudinal axis to accommodate heights and reaches ofdifferent users.
 3. The prone-forward operated board-type sailboat ofclaim 1, wherein the left flotation device is comprised of one or moresubmersible components.
 4. The prone-forward operated board-typesailboat of claim 1, wherein the right flotation device is comprised ofone or more submersible components.
 5. The prone-forward operatedboard-type sailboat of claim 1, wherein the right flotation device isadjustably connected to the right-projected arm of the hike-outhandlebar with respect to extendibility from that arm.
 6. Theprone-forward operated board-type sailboat of claim 1, wherein the leftflotation device is adjustably connected to the left-projected arm ofthe hike-out handlebar with respect to extendibility from that arm. 7.The prone-forward operated board-type sailboat of claim 1, wherein theright flotation device is adjustably connected to the right-projectedarm of the hike-out handlebar with respect to angle of attack to thewater of the device's vertical foil shape as well as any horizontalfoils attached thereto.
 8. The prone-forward operated board-typesailboat of claim 1, wherein the left flotation device is adjustablyconnected to the left-projected arm of the hike-out handlebar withrespect to angle of attack to the water of the device's vertical foilshape as well as any horizontal foils attached thereto.
 9. Theprone-forward operated board-type sailboat of claim 1, wherein the rightflotation device is adjustably connected to the right-projected arm ofthe hike-out handlebar so as to be vertically and laterally retractablefrom the water.
 10. The prone-forward operated board-type sailboat ofclaim 1, wherein the left flotation device is adjustably connected tothe left-projected arm of the hike-out handlebar so as to be verticallyand laterally retractable from the water.
 11. The prone-forward operatedboard-type sailboat of claim 1, wherein the foot-rudder steeringmechanism is comprised of a foot cross-bar which is adjustably mountedto accommodate different heights of users.
 12. The prone-forwardoperated board-type sailboat of claim 1, wherein the foot-ruddersteering mechanism is also comprised of a rudder which is mountable to ahinge or other articulated receptacle device by pin or otherquick-removal means.